In a harrowing incident reported by CNN, two American women, Summer Layman, 24, and Rileigh Decker, 20, are recovering after surviving a shark attack while swimming in the picturesque waters of Bimini Bay, Bahamas. The attack occurred on Friday evening around 6:30 p.m., and authorities from the Royal Bahamas Police Force are currently investigating the matter. Both women expressed gratitude that their injuries were not worse, though they are still undergoing recovery. Decker, speaking from her hospital bed in Melbourne, Florida, described the severity of her injuries, stating, “It destroyed my leg basically. It severed my Achilles. My artery is severed, my nerve is severed.” Her candid account underscores the traumatic nature of the incident, while also highlighting her resilience and gratitude for survival.
The two women had embarked on a trip to Bimini Bay, a popular tourist destination known for its pristine beaches and vibrant marine life. Layman and Decker, who became friends after meeting on a boat in Florida, decided to join Decker’s father’s annual trip to the area. On the day of the attack, they were enjoying themselves on a boat, singing and dancing with friends, when they spontaneously decided to jump into the water. Layman later remarked, “It’s not something we haven’t done before,” reflecting on their shared love for water activities and their previous experiences together. However, this joyful moment quickly turned into a life-threatening situation when Decker felt a sudden nudge on her leg while swimming.
Decker recalled that before entering the water, she and Layman had checked for any signs of sharks and saw none. However, as they swam toward the dock’s ladder, Decker felt an unmistakable tug on her leg, prompting her to immediately realize she was being bitten by a shark. Layman, too, was attacked, though she initially didn’t notice her own injuries due to the adrenaline and panic of the moment. Their friend Austin, who was nearby, quickly sprang into action, helping both women out of the water. Both survivors credited Austin’s swift response for preventing the situation from becoming even more dire. Decker shared that the shark “bit and kind of released instead of biting and taking my calf with it,” a fortunate outcome that likely saved her from more severe harm.
In the aftermath of the attack, the women improvised a makeshift tourniquet using rope from a nearby boat to stem the bleeding from Decker’s leg. Layman, who had suffered significant lacerations to her foot, later described her state of mind during the ordeal: “I heard her screaming so I went into panic mode for her, naturally that was just my instinct. And I looked down and my foot was completely shredded. I didn’t even realize that I was bit. I was just in fight or flight.” The women were then rushed to a local clinic on the island via golf cart, where they received initial treatment. Decker, whose injuries were more severe, was later flown to Nassau for further care, while Layman remained on the island before both were eventually transported to Florida for more comprehensive medical attention.
The road to recovery has been challenging for both women. Layman, who has since been discharged from the hospital, revealed that she required 48 stitches for her injured foot and is now awaiting a possible skin graft. Decker, meanwhile, has undergone two surgeries and is preparing for additional procedures in Orlando to repair the damaged nerve and artery in her leg. Despite their physical and emotional ordeal, both women expressed profound gratitude for their survival. Decker remarked, “I’m just very grateful to be here still and even have my leg,” acknowledging that many shark attack victims are not as fortunate. Layman echoed this sentiment, adding, “We have our limbs and we’re here to tell the story, so we’re really grateful. The chances are very slim, however; it happened to us.”
This incident marks the latest in a string of rare but alarming shark attacks involving American tourists in the Bahamas. According to data from the Florida Museum’s International Shark Attack File, the Bahamas has recorded only 34 unprovoked shark attacks since 1580, placing it ninth among all tracked countries. In contrast, the United States has reported 1,640 cases, followed by Australia with 706 and South Africa with 262. Despite these relatively low numbers, the recent frequency of attacks in the Bahamas has raised concerns. In January 2024, a 10-year-old boy from Maryland was bitten during a shark tank expedition at a resort on Paradise Island, while in December 2023, a 44-year-old woman from Boston was fatally attacked by a shark while paddleboarding near a beach resort. These incidents highlight the unpredictable nature of such events and serve as a reminder of the risks associated with engaging with marine life, even in idyllic destinations like the Bahamas.
